G3406 Engine Caterpillar

The High Heat Value (HHV) is a measurement of the total heat that is generated by combustion of a fuel. When any hydrocarbon is used as a fuel in an internal combustion engine, water is one of the products of combustion. The water is converted into steam before leaving the engine. The conversion requires heat. The steam removes the heat and the energy is not used by the engine. The HHV minus the heat that is used to vaporize the water equals the Low Heat Value (LHV) of the fuel. The LHV is used for estimating fuel consumption.

The fuel must be mixed with air in order to produce combustion. The amount of air that is required for efficient combustion will vary for different types of fuels because of the fuels' different compositions. For optimum engine operation, the air/fuel ratio must be adjusted properly.

The fuel's methane number indicates the tendency of the fuel to detonate. Fuel with a low methane number burns more quickly than fuel with a high methane number. Additionally, the heat that is produced by compression can ignite fuel with a low methane number sooner than fuel with a high methane number. If an engine is using low methane fuel and the timing is too early, detonation will occur. To avoid detonation, the engine timing must be retarded for low methane. The engine may also need a lower compression ratio.

An engine with a low compression ratio is able to utilize fuels with low methane. An engine with a high compression ratio can use a more limited range of fuels. However, a higher power output and greater fuel economy can be obtained. Operation without combustion problems and production of the required power from the available fuel depends on the correct engine configuration.

The methane number of any gas (fuel) can be determined with the following method:

1. Obtain a fuel analysis of the gas.

2. Enter the data from the fuel analysis into the Caterpillar Software, LERW4485, "Gas Engine Rating Pro (GERP)".

This software program calculates the fuel's methane number.

For a detailed explanation of methane numbers, see Application and Installation Guide, LEKQ7256, "Fuels/Fuel Systems".

Follow the guide for fuel usage that is in the engine's Engine Performance publication. These publications are available from your Caterpillar dealer.

For detailed information on gaseous fuels, refer to Engine Data Sheet, LEKQ3105, "Internal Combustion Engine Fuel Gases".

For information on acceptable fuels for the engine, see the engine's Operation and Maintenance Manual.

The air/fuel ratio is adjusted by changing the gas flow. A greater concentration of gas makes a rich mixture and less gas makes a lean mixture.